NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara softball team closed out its home schedule with a sweep of in-state rival the Binghamton Bearcats on Wednesday afternoon. The Purple Eagles shut out Binghamton 1-0 in game one and topped the Bearcats 6-2 in game two.

Niagara (24-16) had dominant pitching performances in both games this afternoon.

Sophomore Michelle Krier (Kenmore, N.Y.) tossed a complete-game shutout for the win in game one. Niagara managed two hits in the game, both coming in the fourth inning. Teresa Healy (Las Vegas, Nev.) tripled to right field with one out in the inning. Two batters later, senior Heather Lohrman (Newport Beach, Calif.) singled up the middle to score Healy from third for the only run in the game.    

After the Bearcats put on the leadoff batter in the fifth, Krier retired the last nine batters to end the game.

The same script was in store for game two.

Niagara picked up its first hit in the third inning from a Kristin Sito (Elyria, Ohio) tripled to right field. Kristin Kill (South Portland, Maine) scored Sito with a RBI single to centerfield two batters later. Sarah Anthon (Lancaster, N.Y.) and Maggie McDonald (Cicero, N.Y.) collected RBIs in the fourth to build the Purple Eagles’ lead to 3-0.

Niagara scored three runs in the fifth, with a RBI single from Anthon and two RBIs from Sito, after allowing one run in the top of the inning.

Senior Katie Gleiser (Cheektowaga, N.Y.) pitched four innings, struck out three and allowed zero runs in the win. Ali Grab (Erie Pa.) and Cassie Stone (North Tonawanda, N.Y.) combined for three innings, three hits and two runs in relief work.

Niagara heads into the final weekend of conference play with critical games that will determine its playoff chances. The Purple Eagles will play at Saint Peter’s as the designated home team on Saturday at 1 p.m.; the game is a makeup from April 6.